[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 23, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H5656-H5660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VETERANS OUTREACH IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2007
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 67) to amend title 38, United
[[Page H5657]]
States Code, to improve the outreach activities of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 67
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Outreach
Improvement Act of 2007''.
SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENT OF OUTREACH ACTIVITIES WITHIN DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 5 of title 38, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter:
``SUBCHAPTER IV--OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
``Sec. 561. Outreach activities: coordination of activities
within the Department
``(a) Coordination Procedures.--The Secretary shall
establish and maintain procedures for ensuring the effective
coordination of the outreach activities of the Department
between and among the following:
``(1) The Office of the Secretary.
``(2) The Office of Public Affairs.
``(3) The Veterans Health Administration.
``(4) The Veterans Benefits Administration.
``(5) The National Cemetery Administration.
``(b) Annual Review of Procedures.--The Secretary shall--
``(1) annually review the procedures in effect under
subsection (a) for the purpose of ensuring that those
procedures meet the requirements of that subsection; and
``(2) make such modifications to those procedures as the
Secretary considers appropriate in light of such review in
order to better achieve that purpose.
``Sec. 562. Outreach activities: cooperative activities with
States; grants to States for improvement of outreach
``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to
provide for assistance by the Secretary to State and county
veterans agencies to carry out programs in locations within
the respective jurisdictions of such agencies that offer a
high probability of improving outreach and assistance to
veterans, and to the spouses, children, and parents of
veterans, to ensure that such individuals are fully informed
about, and assisted in applying for, any veterans' and
veterans-related benefits and programs (including State
veterans' programs) for which they may be eligible.
``(b) Priority for Areas With High Concentration of
Eligible Individuals.--In providing assistance under this
section, the Secretary shall give priority to State and
county veteran agencies in locations--
``(1) that have relatively large concentrations of
populations of veterans and other individuals referred to in
subsection (a); or
``(2) that are experiencing growth in the population of
veterans and other individuals referred to in subsection (a).
``(c) Contracts for Outreach Services.--The Secretary may
enter into a contract with a State or county veterans agency
in order to carry out, coordinate, improve, or otherwise
enhance outreach by the Department and the State or county
(including outreach with respect to a State or county
veterans program). As a condition of entering into any such
contract, the Secretary shall require the agency to submit
annually to the Secretary a three-year plan for the use of
any funds provided to the agency pursuant to the contract and
to meet the annual outcome measures developed by the
Secretary under subsection (d)(4).
``(d) Grants.--(1) The Secretary may make a grant to a
State or county veterans agency to be used to carry out,
coordinate, improve, or otherwise enhance--
``(A) outreach activities, including activities carried out
pursuant to a contract entered into under subsection (c); and
``(B) activities to assist in the development and submittal
of claims for veterans and veterans-related benefits,
including activities carried out pursuant to a contract
entered into under subsection (c).
``(2) A State veterans agency that receives a grant under
this subsection may award all or a portion of the grant to
county veterans agencies within the State to provide outreach
services for veterans, on the basis of the number of veterans
residing in the jurisdiction of each county.
``(3) To be eligible for a grant under this subsection, a
State or county veterans agency shall submit to the Secretary
an application containing such information and assurances as
the Secretary may require. The Secretary shall require a
State or county veterans agency to include, as part of the
agency's application--
``(A) a three-year plan for the use of the grant; and
``(B) a description of the programs through which the
agency will meet the annual outcome measures developed by the
Secretary under paragraph (4).
``(4)(A) The Secretary shall develop and provide to the
recipient of a grant under this subsection written guidance
on annual outcome measures, Department policies, and
procedures for applying for grants under this section.
``(B) The Secretary shall annually review the performance
of each State or county veterans agency that receives a grant
under this section.
``(C) In the case of a State or county veterans agency that
is a recipient of a grant under this subsection that does not
meet the annual outcome measures developed by the Secretary,
the Secretary shall require the agency to submit a
remediation plan under which the agency shall describe how
and when it plans to meet such outcome measures. The
Secretary must approve such plan before the Secretary may
make a subsequent grant to that agency under this subsection.
``(5) No portion of any grant awarded under this subsection
may be used for the purposes of administering the grant funds
or to subsidize the salaries of State or county veterans
service officers or other employees of a State or county
veterans agency that receives a grant under this subsection.
``(6) Federal funds provided to a State or county veterans
agency under this subsection may not be used to provide more
than 50 percent of the total cost of the State or county
government activities described in paragraph (1) and shall be
used to expand existing outreach programs and services and
not to supplant State and local funding that is otherwise
available.
``(7) In awarding grants under this subsection, the
Secretary shall give priority to State and county veterans
agencies that serve the largest populations of veterans.
``(8)(A) In a case in which a county government does not
have a county veterans agency, the county government may be
awarded a grant under this subsection to establish such an
agency.
``(B) In a case in which a county government does not have
a county veterans agency and does not seek to establish such
an agency through the use of a grant under this subsection,
the State veterans agency for the State in which the county
is located may use a grant under this section to provide
outreach services for that county.
``(C) In the case of a State in which no State or county
veterans agency seeks to receive a grant under this
subsection, the funds that would otherwise be allocated for
that State shall be reallocated to those States in which
county veterans agencies exist and have sought grants under
this subsection.
``(9) A grant under this subsection may be used to provide
education and training, including on-the-job training, for
State, county, and local government employees who provide (or
when trained will provide) veterans outreach services in
order for those employees to obtain accreditation in
accordance with procedures approved by the Secretary and, for
employees so accredited, for purposes of continuing
education.
``(e) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
``(1) The term `State veterans agency' means the element of
the government of a State that has responsibility for
programs and activities of that State government relating to
veterans benefits.
``(2) The term `county veterans agency' means the element
of the government of a county or municipality that has
responsibility for programs and activities of that county or
municipal government relating to veterans benefits.
``Sec. 563. Outreach activities: funding
``(a) Separate Account.--Amounts for the outreach
activities of the Department under this subchapter shall be
budgeted and appropriated through a separate appropriation
account.
``(b) Separate Statement of Amount.--In the budget
justification materials submitted to Congress in support of
the Department budget for any fiscal year (as submitted with
the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title
31), the Secretary shall include a separate statement of the
amount requested to be appropriated for that fiscal year for
the account specified in subsection (a).
``Sec. 564. Definition of outreach
``For purposes of this subchapter, the term `outreach'
means the act or process of taking steps in a systematic
manner to provide information, services, and benefits
counseling to veterans, and the survivors of veterans, who
may be eligible to receive benefits under the laws
administered by the Secretary to ensure that those
individuals are fully informed about, and assisted in
applying for, any benefits and programs under such laws for
which they may be eligible.
``Sec. 565. Authorization of appropriations
``There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
for each of fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010, $25,000,000 to
carry out this subchapter, including making grants under
section 562(d) of this title.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the
following new items:
``subchapter iv--outreach activities
``561. Outreach activities: coordination of activities within the
Department.
``562. Outreach activities: cooperative activities with States; grants
to States for improvement of outreach.
``563. Outreach activities: funding.
``564. Definition of outreach.
``565. Authorization of appropriations.''.
(c) Deadline for Implementation.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall implement the outreach activities required
under subchapter IV of chapter 5 of title 38, United States
Code, as added by subsection (a), by not later than 120 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
[[Page H5658]]
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to myself such time as I may
consume.
This bill comes to us from the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
McIntyre), and we thank him for his leadership on veterans outreach.
If I had to sum up this bill in one phrase, I would say that it
allows local organizations to provide more bang for the buck by having
greater resources at the local level.
This bill requires the VA to partner with State and local
governments, through grant opportunities, to reach out to veterans and
their families to ensure receipt of benefit for which they are eligible
and assist them in completing their benefits claims.
As we have seen from recent news reports all over the country, we
still have veterans slipping through the cracks of this system. They
are either unaware of their veterans benefits or are having difficulty
getting those benefits processed.
This bill establishes a grant program for the VA to provide to
States' outreach activities, cooperative relationships and benefit
claims development. The grant program allows State veterans agencies to
award a portion of the grants to local governments for outreach
purposes.
In addition, the grant allows funding for education and training of
State and local government employees for accreditation to provide
outreach services. It may also be used to establish a local government
veterans service program.
The bill prohibits any portion of the grant to be used by the State
for administrative purposes and requires the VA to allocate grants
based on veteran populations.
The bill limits grant use by States to less than 50 percent of the
cost of State and local government outreach activities and prohibits
grant funds from supplanting State and local funds for such activities.
H.R. 67 authorizes $25 million annually, in fact $1 per veteran in
our Nation, to improve outreach to veterans and remove some of the
significant obstacles veterans must overcome to access their benefits.
This is particularly true in rural areas, which Mr. McIntyre
represents. The bill also contains performance measures to ensure that
grant recipients are properly fulfilling the requirements of the
program.
The bill is supported by the American Legion, Military Officers
Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America,
National County Veteran Service Officers, National Organization of
Veterans Advocates, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in strong support of H.R. 67, the Veterans Outreach
Improvement Act. I thank my colleagues, Mr. McIntyre and Mr. Filner,
for bringing the legislation to the floor.
H.R. 67 requires Secretary Nicholson to coordinate and implement a
plan throughout the VA to help provide veterans with outreach so that
they are aware of potential benefits and understand how to apply for
them.
The bill also authorizes a matching fund grants program for State and
local governments to provide such outreach.
I'd also like to thank my colleague, Mr. Lamborn from Colorado, for
his amendment to this legislation with reporting and grant requirements
to strengthen accountability for admission.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr.
Lamborn).
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 67, the
Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007.
I would like to thank my friend and colleague, Mr. Hall of New York,
chairman of the committee's Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
Subcommittee, of which I am ranking member, for his leadership on this
bill.
I would also like to thank Mr. McIntyre, the sponsor of this
legislation, and both Ranking Member Buyer and Chairman Filner for
their support.
One of the persistent challenges we face in providing benefits to
deserving veterans is communicating to them and their families the
existence of benefits they may have earned. This bill is a solid
example of good federalism. It funds outreach by State and local
governments, which have proven to be capable incubators for effective
public policy.
This legislation also sends VA a signal that Congress expects strong
and effective outreach to our veterans.
I'm also pleased that Chairman Hall and I were able to work together
to improve an already good bill with an amendment that would improve
VA's accountability for the taxpayer dollars allocated under this
authorization.
This amendment would require any State or county veterans agency
applying for funds to submit a plan for their use to the VA Secretary
and for the Secretary to review their performance annually.
I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
{time} 1500
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the author of the legislation,
Mr. McIntyre, such time as he may consume.
Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today in strong
support of H.R. 67, the Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007, a
bill which I filed on the first day of this 110th Congress back in
January.
I want to thank Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for their
support, as well as Mr. Hall, the chairman of the subcommittee, and the
gentleman who just spoke, Mr. Lamborn, the ranking member of the
subcommittee.
This truly has been a bipartisan effort. H.R. 67 will help our
veterans cut through the bureaucratic red tape. You know, as we
approach Memorial Day this coming weekend, there can be no greater
tribute that we pay to our veterans than ensuring that they receive the
benefits that they need and deserve.
H.R. 67 would allow the VA to partner with State and local
governments to reach out to veterans and their families, to ensure that
they receive the benefits for which they are eligible, and assisting
them in completing their benefits claims. The Veterans Outreach
Improvement Act would require the Secretary of the VA to establish and
annually review a plan to coordinate outreach activities within the
Department so that local veterans service officers can better serve our
veterans.
Unfortunately, many veterans, their spouses, or, in some cases, their
surviving spouses, are unaware of the benefits to which they are
entitled through the VA. In fact, according to a Knight-Ridder report,
as many as 2 million poor veterans or their widows may not be receiving
up to $22 billion annually in pensions to which they are entitled.
Other estimates suggest that only 30 percent of our veterans receive
the benefits for which they are eligible.
Under this bill, the Secretary of the VA would establish a grant
program to fund outreach at the State and local levels with
accompanying performance measures to ensure that the Federal funds are
effectively promoting outreach. This bill would authorize $25 million
annually in fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010 to fund this grant
program. That is $1 for each veteran in America, just $1 to make sure
that we are reaching out to these brave men and women who fought for
our country to know about the benefits they have earned and have
assistance in applying for them. It would be $25 million well spent,
well directed. It's the least that we can do for those who have put
their lives on the line for our country to make sure they know,
understand and, in fact, receive the benefits for which they are
eligible.
By providing these vital resources to veterans service offices at the
State and Federal level, we will indeed get more bang for our buck to
locate veterans and assist them in receiving the benefits they deserve.
This legislation is supported by the American Legion, Veterans of
Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan
Veterans of America, the Military Officers Association of America, the
National Association of Veterans' Advocates and the National
Association of County Veterans Service Officers.
My special thanks to Ms. Ann Knowles of Sampson County, North
[[Page H5659]]
Carolina, who has worked with us on this important bill in her role as
national president of the County Veterans Service Officers.
As Memorial Day approaches, it's important that we demonstrate to
this Nation's veterans our commitment to provide them the benefits that
they need and deserve. By passing the Veterans Outreach Improvement
Act, we will do just that.
Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to myself such time as I may consume.
I would ask the Chair how much time I have.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Indiana has 18 minutes
remaining.
Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for bringing
this bill to the Veterans' Affairs Committee and for his interest in
outreach.
In the bill previous to this one, I brought up an issue with regard
to how we give proper recognition to a Medal of Honor recipient, Jerry
Murphy of New Mexico. Jerry Murphy, in his tenure at the Department of
Veterans Affairs, even after he retired, was a champion of veterans
outreach. Like many of my comrades, when they come back from war, they
have seen a lot of things, far worse than what I have ever seen. They
call themselves generally, Mr. McIntyre, the lucky ones, because one of
their friends or buddies is in worse shape than what they are; they
dedicate their lives to them.
That's exactly what Jerry Murphy did in his tenure, not only serving
the Department of Veterans Affairs, but, in addition, he was the
director of the Veterans Services Division of the Albuquerque, New
Mexico, regional VA office from 1974 to 1997. This individual,
dedicated his life and received not only the Medal of Honor, he also
received the Silver Star.
What I would like to do, so America can reach out and touch and
understand the type of individual who would dedicate his life to the
service of his comrades, and he would push them in a wheelchair, take
them to an appointment in that hospital. The individual he was pushing,
they had no idea that they were being pushed by a Medal of Honor
recipient.
This individual, Raymond G. Murphy, was a second lieutenant in the
United States Marines Reserve, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines,
1st Marine Division, and 3 February of 1953 was an important date,
because on that date, for his conspicuous gallantry, and the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty as a platoon commander of
Company A, and actions against an enemy aggressor force, he rose up and
distinguished himself.
The citation that he received when he was given the Congressional
Medal of Honor stated that although painfully wounded by fragments of
an enemy mortar shell while leading his evacuation platoon in support
of assault units attacking a cleverly concealed and well-entrenched
hostile force occupying commanding ground, Second Lieutenant Murphy
steadfastly refused medical aid and continued to lead his men up a hill
through a withering barrage of hostile mortar and small-arms fire,
skillfully maneuvering his force from one position to the next and
shouting words of encouragement.
Undeterred by increasing intense enemy fire, he immediately located
casualties as they fell and made several trips up and down the fire-
swept hill to direct evacuation teams for the wounded, personally
carrying many of the stricken marines to safety.
When reinforcements were needed by the assaulting elements, Second
Lieutenant Murphy employed part of his unit as support, and, during the
ensuing battle, he killed two of the enemy with his pistol.
With all the wounded evacuated and the assaulting units beginning to
disengage, he remained behind with a carbine to cover the movement of
the friendly forces off the hill, and, through the suffering of intense
pain from his previous wounds, seized an automatic rifle to provide
more firepower when the enemy reappeared in the trenches.
After reaching the base of the hill, he organized a search party
again to ascend the slope for a final check on missing marines.
Locating and carrying the bodies of a marine gun crew back down the
hill, he was wounded a second time while conducting the entire force to
the line of departure through a continuing barrage of enemy small arms,
artillery, mortar fire.
He also, once again, refused medical assistance until assured that
every one of his men, including all casualties, had preceded him to the
main line. His resolute, inspiring leadership, exceptional fortitude
and great personal valor reflect the highest credit upon Second
Lieutenant Raymond Murphy, and he enhanced the finest traditions of the
United States Naval Service.
This was the citation he received, was given to him when he received
the Medal of Honor. This is the same individual whereby the three
members of the New Mexico delegation, led by Heather Wilson, have
brought a bill, H.R. 474, to the floor about the VA Medical Center in
Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he worked. As a matter of fact, he was
always the humble servant. Even after his retirement, as I said, he
became a volunteer.
This brave marine, who earned the Medal of Honor, chose to be buried
wearing his VA hospital volunteer smock. This is the type of individual
of whom, at a moment like this, as we go into Memorial Day, we think of
these individuals, not only what they have done, not only at the moment
of calling, it was most difficult during war, but then how did they
dedicate their life.
Memorial Day, yes, it's that day, but it's also a day whereby, not
those who just died in service to country, but what do they do later on
with their life, and we think of them. Here is a gentleman, Mr.
McIntyre, I know exactly this is the type of person you are thinking
about, who dedicated themselves to outreach.
So I ask you to talk to the chairman, because he is the sole
impediment as to why the House and the Senate do not honor this
gentleman.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
General Leave
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 67, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to unanimously
support this bill.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of six excellent
pieces of legislation that would benefit our Nation's veterans.
Unfortunately, due to a family medical emergency, I am unable to be
present and vote for these bills today. However, had I been here to
vote, each of the six bills would have had my full support.
As we approach Memorial Day, it is important to honor our Nation's
servicemen and servicewomen. We would not be a free Nation without the
sacrifices that each and every one has made. These six important pieces
of legislation are an excellent way to repay some of the debt that we
owe all of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and merchant marines.
I support each of these bills, and I urge all of my colleagues to
honor our veterans by supporting these bills as well.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 67, the
Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007. This bill directs the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish, maintain, and modify as
necessary procedures for ensuring the effective coordination of
outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Office
of the Secretary, the Office of Public Affairs, the Veterans Health
Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National
Cemetery Administration. The bill would also direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to ensure that state, territorial and local outreach
assistance is provided in locations that have relatively large
concentrations of veterans or are experiencing growth in veteran
populations. Additionally, this bill would authorize the Secretary to
make grants to state veterans agencies for state and local outreach
services. This legislation is supported by the Veterans of Foreign
Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of
America, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. It represents
another step in our effort to fulfill our promises in the GI Bill of
Rights for the 21st Century.
It is a important that we act in manner that will help ensure that
our government sponsors quality programs and provides quality services
to our veterans. It is also important that we act in a manner that will
help ensure, to the extent possible, that our veterans are able to take
full advantage of the programs and services offered by Department of
Veterans Affairs facilities across the country. To achieve these
[[Page H5660]]
goals we must, among other things, improve the outreach capabilities
and capacities of the Department of Veterans Affairs while also
improving its coordination with state, territorial and local
authorities. This will help greatly in our ongoing efforts to
disseminate information regarding veterans programs and services and
also help improve the quality of claims for benefits submitted by our
veterans.
I remain committed to facilitating communication between federal
authorities, veteran service organizations, and veterans on Guam. We
have achieved some success in this regard. But more must be done. I am
routinely informed by federal officials that the quality of claims
received from Guam veterans, in particular, needs to be improved.
Efforts to improve and enhance outreach, communication, and information
sharing between federal and local officials and veterans embodied in
this bill will help the situation on Guam. But I also want to take this
opportunity to again urge the veterans service organizations and
veterans themselves to be vigorous and proactive in seeking out
information and training on veterans programs and benefit claims
submissions. Many veterans already are, and in many ways, we are
witnesses to veterans helping veterans. Continued information sharing
and collaboration among and within the greater veterans community
across the country will continue to result in stronger programs and
services for them.
This legislation is timely and important. On Guam, indeed across the
country, our population of veterans grows each month. We have a moral
obligation to serve, in the best way possible, those who have served to
protect us and to defend our freedom and liberty. Support for this
legislation is one way to help fulfill that obligation. I urge my
colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 67.
Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, as a former member of the Air Force
Reserve, I am pleased to rise in support of this important veterans
outreach measure. We must continue to ensure that all of our veterans
are aware of and receive the benefits that they have earned and
deserve. These grants will help our states connect veterans with the
many benefits for which they are eligible but may be unaware are
available to them.
But it is not just our states' responsibility to conduct this
outreach, and I encourage all of my colleagues in the House to use the
privilege of our offices to help veterans obtain needed benefits and
services. In March, I held a Veterans' Resource Fair in my district. I
brought 45 service providers together under one roof to help more than
350 veterans register for benefits, find jobs, and resolve pressing
case work issues. I will hold another in just a few months time. My
office stands ready to assist any one of you in conducting a similar
event for the veterans in your district.
We must work to support the men and women who made individual
sacrifices to preserve our freedom not just on Memorial Day, but on all
days. I urge my colleagues to pass this bill, and I hope that we will
continue to join together to promote and protect meaningful benefits
for our veterans. I yield back.
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 67, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will
be postponed.
____________________